PORTSMOUTH — An Octopus Avenue home was gutted by fire Wednesday morning when firefighters were met by flames and smoke coming out the front door, said Deputy Fire Chief James Heinz.

The lone occupant of the 44 Octopus Ave. home was initially reported as uninjured, but was later transported to the hospital for unspecified health concerns, he said. The cause remains under investigation, but firefighters are examining a vacuum cleaner as a possible source of the fire, according to the deputy chief.

Firefighters were dispatched to the Hillcrest Estates home at about 10:49 a.m. for an initial report of an appliance on fire. Heinz said the first firefighters on scene launched “an aggressive interior attack” at the single-story manufactured home, while additional firefighters responded.

Some siding was removed from the home to gain access to a basement area and windows were broken to ventilate smoke. Firefighters removed a charred sofa and chairs with upholstery burned off through a front door. A melted television set and burned ottoman were also removed by firefighters and placed on a front lawn.

Power to the home was cut, while mutual aid was called from Kittery, Maine, and an ambulance from Newington responded.

Heinz said the fire was under control at 11:20 a.m. and a secondary fire crew ventilated the home with large fans. Three engines, two ladder trucks and two ambulances responded, he said.

The heaviest fire damage was to a living room, while the rest of the home was damaged by “heavy smoke and heat,” Heinz said.

Firefighters remained on scene until the house was clear of carbon monoxide and smoke, before launching their investigation into the cause of the single-alarm fire.

According to Portsmouth assessing records, the home is owned by Marilyn Whiteside and is assessed for $51,600.